CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – On Saturday night, Casey Severo proved to be the game-changer for the Crimson, scoring a late third-period goal that secured a crucial victory, earning Harvard three important points in the ECAC standings.
The first period was a fast-paced affair, though neither team found the net. Clarkson came close, sending a shot wide. On the other end, Soderwall made a standout save on Chase Stefanek, who was looking for his first collegiate goal. Harvard had a power play opportunity but couldn’t capitalize.
Heikki Ruohonen broke the deadlock with a beautiful goal, weaving through Clarkson’s defense to find the corner of the net. But Clarkson responded quickly in the third, tying the game in just thirty seconds.
As the tension mounted, Clarkson earned a power play. They hit the crossbar and missed another chance, but Harvard’s penalty kill held strong, shifting the momentum back to the Crimson.
In the final moments, Ruohonen, who had a strong showing all weekend, drew a penalty, creating a crucial chance for Harvard. A slick passing play left Severo wide open in front of the goal. He took the opportunity and scored, giving Harvard the lead with less than two minutes remaining. The team held on, denying Clarkson a chance to equalize even with their net empty.
Game Highlights:
- This was Harvard’s first time sweeping all four games against Clarkson since the 2022–23 season.
- Ruohonen’s impressive weekend included two goals and three assists after returning from the World Junior Championships.
- Severo now has three game-winning goals against Clarkson in their last four matchups.
Harvard’s next challenge is against Union on Monday, completing a demanding stretch of three games in four days.
Recent trends in college hockey show how crucial momentum shifts can be. Statistics indicate that teams with strong penalty kills tend to win higher percentages of close games. With Harvard’s recent performance, they could be a team to watch as the season unfolds.
For further insights into college hockey’s current landscape, consider checking out NCAA’s hockey statistics.
